CARICOM SG applauds Region’s progress on women’s equality

[su_pullquote]”I applaud the Region’s progress as evidenced by new legislation with respect to the rights of women and children; increased representation of women in government and leadership; attainment of higher levels of education; improved access to health care and reduction in child mortality.” Ambassador LaRocque[/su_pullquote] Secretary General of the Caribbean Community Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has applauded the Region for its progress on women’s equality.  He said this year’s theme ‘Empower Women – Empowering Humanity’ was an aspiration for many including CARICOM.

Ambassador LaRocque expressed these sentiments in his message for International Women’s Day 2015 which is being celebrated today March 8, 2015.

The Secretary General said the strides made were evidenced by new legislation with respect to the rights of women and children; increased representation of women in government and leadership; attainment of higher levels of education; improved access to health care and a reduction in child mortality.

He noted that despite the many achievements, more action needed to be taken with respect to gender equality in governance; to end wage discrimination; and to stop the continuing gender-based violence that has an impact, not only on the lives of women and girls, but also their families and communities.

Statistics from country reports indicate a troubling level of sexual abuse and human trafficking of the girl child while women continue to be the victims of domestic abuse,” Ambassador LaRocque said.

The CARICOM Secretary General also used the opportunity to reiterate the Community’s commitment to the proposed Goal 5 of the UN Framework for Sustainable Development: ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’; and to the actions which include “[eliminating] all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation”.  He also acknowledged the role of UN Women in assisting the Community to engage fully in the discussions on these issues at the global, regional and national levels with respect to, in particular, the Post 2015 Development Agenda and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Agenda.

Read full message at IWD 2015 Message